Railway exhibition attracted 500 visitors

* Llangollen Railway Trust chairman Jim Ritchie and Martin Christie from

Carrog station lift the Welsh flag to open the exhibition.

Llangollen Railway Trust says it is pleased with the public response to an exhibition showcasing its Corwen extension project. 

Plans for the scheme, which aims to be complete by 2014, were displayed  at the Oriel Gallery in Corwen for seven days until October 7. 

The exhibition was staged by the Edeyrnion Heritage and Cultural attracted over 500 visitors and featured a collection of archive photographs brought together from various sources, including personal contributions by local residents. 

The intention was to present a comprehensive review of the railway as it once existed in Corwen when it was a major junction for two lines serving North Wales.  

The screening of a sequence of digital images of the station, the town and the steam trains proved particularly attractive and caught the attention of visitors for considerable periods with its depth of detail. 

One particularly important historical item was photograph of a group of railway workers and visitors taken in August 1919. 

This was digitally repaired and enlarged from a crumpled copy retrieved from a scrap container.  

Several of the men in the photograph have since been identified. 

The photographic display was enhanced by items of traditional railway equipment and interest was such that visitors produced some of their own railway artefacts, as well as personal memories of the railway. 

The Corwen elements of the exhibition were supported by displays from Llangollen Railway’s Corwen extension project, the new build Patriot Locomotive Project and a review of the work undertaken to restore the station at Carrog as an example of what can be achieved to recreate a heritage facility.  

The exhibition raised money for the Edeyrnion Society, the Corwen extension project and the Patriot group. 

The attendance was far in excess of predictions with visitors from the town supported by those from a larger catchment area in North Wales and beyond.  

Paul Lawton, one of the organisers, said: “The visitors’ book is packed with favourable comments from many who came through the doors and enjoyed the exhibition. 

“We all hope that this is a step towards a permanent exhibition in Corwen and will eventually lead to a full-scale transport museum that shows Corwen’s importance as the crossroads of North Wales. 

Norman Jones, board member of Edeyrnion Heritage and Cultural Society, said: “We are delighted that over 500 visitors came to the exhibition.

 

“The society wishes to thank all concerned for their efforts and looks forward to the exhibition being repeated in the future at other venues in Edeyrnion. 

“The Oriel Gallery proved to be an ideal venue for the occasion and the society hopes to capitalise on this success with plans to celebrate Denbighshire’s importance as a farming centre.”

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway Trust, said: “The opportunity to engage with local residents, and other visitors, allowed for certain misapprehensions to be corrected and for the work in progress to be explained, along with the need for additional funds to complete the project. 

“The success of the exhibition demonstrated what can be achieved when like-minded organisations come together with a common purpose to promote a shared aim.” 

The exhibition was supported by Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency, Denbighshire Rural Development Plan Partnership, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

"Celtic Union" call to improve transport links

 

The Welsh Government should form a ‘Celtic Union’ to make the case for transport infrastructure improvements through North Wales.

 

That was the suggestion from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates as he spoke in a debate in the Assembly.

 

The Labour AM said upgrades to the road, rail and ferry network across North Wales, which forms part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), needed strong backing from Cardiff, Stormont and Dublin.

He said the potential of North Wales to be a ‘bridge’ between mainland Europe and Ireland was enormous and that having a Celtic Union to lobby for infrastructure improvements such as electrification of the North Wales rail line and upgrade of the A55 was vital.

The AM has pledged to raise the issue with Irish parliamentary colleagues at a conference in Glasgow later this month.

Mr Skates said: “North Wales has huge potential to be a bridge between mainland Europe, UK and the island of Ireland. It forms a vital part of a strategic Trans-European transport route, the potential of which to lever in investment and new jobs has yet to be fully realised.

“The main North Wales rail line to Holyhead is a key part of a Trans-European rail route from Minsk to Galway. The A55 also forms part of the Trans European Road Network which links Ireland with the rest of the UK and Europe.

“The Welsh Government needs to engage with the Irish Governments to form a major lobbying force with which it can make a joint case for investment in renewing our transport infrastructure across North Wales.

“Infrastructure upgrades such as securing electrification of the North Wales mainline are amongst the most important strategic barriers to growth facing the region in the coming decades.

“Improvements to the road and rail network in North Wales are vital to ensuring the region is not left behind. The needs of North Wales when it comes to transport are slightly different to the rest of Wales and this needs to be recognised more effectively in government policy.

“A dynamic and joined-up lobbying operation with both the Welsh and Irish Governments making a focused business case for greater investment in the Trans European Transport Network would be a powerful tool. It could help bring jobs and hope back to North Wales and potentially lever in millions of pounds of private sector investment.”

“We’ve seen huge investment in South Wales through a commitment to electrify the Swansea to London and South wales valley lines as well as £500 million for a new western link into Heathrow. What we need to see now is a similarly ambitious and direct investment into the future of North Wales, too.”

Campaigners aim to solve Cottage Hospital problem

* Lllangollen Cottage Hospital is earmarked for closure.

Campaigners say they have come up with a solution which would allow the expansion of health services in Llangollen while still retaining them in the town.

And members of the new Keep Llangollen Health Services KLHS) action group say it will be unveiled at a public meeting on Monday night. 

The group was formed last month to fight a controversial proposal by the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board to close the local Cottage Hospital and replace it with a new health centre offering an expanded range of services, possibly on the site of the derelict River Lodge just further along the road.

But members fear the new facility will take years to complete and will not include the in-patient beds or minor injuries unit currently offered by the hospital on Abbey Road.

The community hospital, which the health board says is outdated and in need of replacement, also provides a range of vital health services, such blood testing, and campaigners are concerned about whether these will continue to be provided locally during an expected gap of two or three years between it closing and a new centre opening. 

KLHS has called a public meeting for 7pm on Monday (October 15) at The Hand Hotel when local people will be brought up to date on the campaign. 

There will also be speakers and the writing of letters of objection to the health board will be encouraged. 

Ahead of the meeting, one the group’s founder members, Martin Crumpton, said: “The status quo won’t help Llangollen provide the health services we depend upon.  

“The Regent Street Health Centre needs to expand in order to provide more consultation rooms, while we want to retain our beds and minor injuries unit.  

“We’ve already lost the Cottage Hospital’s maternity unit and the top floor has been closed. 

“Betsi Cadwaladr says the hospital isn’t fit for purpose, and many people agree. 

“On the face of it, we’re left with a simple choice of take it or leave it – accept their promise of a new facility or refuse it and keep the status quo. The first, a promise, is one few people here have any confidence in. The second is not satisfactory.” 

He added: “Although there’s much Betsi Cadwaladr hasn’t disclosed to us, we think we’ve worked out what they’re up to.  

“We think we can offer an alternative solution that would keep our services and allow expansion. 

“Indeed, allow new services for Llangollen too, while saving Betsi Cadwaladr money compared to their intended spending.

“Come along to our public meeting on Monday and hear all about it.”

They're looking for your Christmas card designs

* Susan Elan Jones MP and Ken Skates AM.

Two local politicians have launched the annual competition to find a design for their Christmas card.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates and Member of Parliament Susan Elan Jones are inviting children from primary schools across their constituency to send in their ideas for a Christmas card that would be sent to schools, businesses and charitable organisations throughout the country.

The competition will be judged by Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones and the winner will be announced in early December.

Local AM Ken Skates said: “Last year we had a fantastic response to our competition and received literally hundreds of entries.

“It was very hard work picking a winner and I was very proud of the finished product.”

Susan Elan Jones MP said: “Both Ken and I visit schools in our constituency throughout the year and I never cease to be amazed by the creativity that pupils display in their work.

“This is an opportunity for one lucky person to have their design professionally printed and sent out to hundreds of people around the country. I’m really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries.”

Entries are welcome from primary school pupils whatever their age and must be received by Ken Skates’ constituency office in Llangollen by November 2.

For more information, contact Ken Skates AM on 01978 869058, e-mail Ken.Skates@wales.gov.uk, or write to him at The Malthouse Business Centre, Regent Street, Llangollen, LL20 8HS.

Library survey on the cards

Denbighshire County Council will be soon be carrying out a survey to find out what  its adult users think of the library service.

Visitors over the age of 16 will be asked to complete a simple questionnaire about usage and satisfaction with their local library, including Llangollen.

A council spokesman said: “Their responses will be used to help in developing the service for the future and therefore we hope that users can support us by taking five minutes to complete the survey during the week.”

The survey will be taking place at all Denbighshire's libraries during the week commencing October 22.

Community gardeners planning wild weekend

As part of Keep Wales Tidy’s Wild Weekend, Llangollen Community Garden is planning a special activity on Saturday, October 27.

Members will be building enhanced habitat zones using material found on their site to create brash piles.

Brash piles are great for wildlife and will help mark out some of the areas on site.

A group spokesman said: “If you like wildlife, or just want to help, this will be a great weekend to get involved.”

* Members of the Community Garden.

The community garden sits in a easily accessed location close to Plas Newydd.

It has been set up with the aim of providing an opportunity for local people, groups and schools to grow their own food and engage with nature.

It is also hoped that as the practical and positive project develops, links within the community will be strengthened.

Produce from the garden will be shared out amongst those involved, and any surplus donated at the time.

The first few working sessions meant establishing access and beginning clearance, as well as making plans for the future.

Planting will start next year, but currently the area is very overgrown so there is still a large amount of clearing to be done.

Working sessions run every Saturday morning from 10am-noon and are also organised for evenings during the week.

Access to the site is restricted to these working sessions.

The spokesman added: “We would love to hear from anyone who might be interested in getting involved with the garden. Perhaps you would like to help clear the site? Or perhaps you would be interested in helping to design or plant the garden?

To find out more or attend one of the sessions get in touch with the group by e-mail at info@llangollengarden.co.uk, or visit the website at www.llangollengarden.co.uk

Top chef heading for Llangollen festival

 

 

Wales’ top television chef Dudley Newbery (pictured above) will be a man on a mission when he stars at a leading food festival in Llangollen.

 

Dudley will be making an impassioned plea to people to buy and enjoy locally produced food.

 

His good food crusade brings him to Hamper Llangollen 2012 on Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21.

 

Also starring at the popular food festival will be two other celebrity chefs, Graham Tinsley, from ITV's Taste the Nation and a former captain of the Welsh Culinary Team, along with the ever popular Dai Chef, who is returning to the event after an absence of several years.

 

This year's festival is being supported by the rural development agency, Cadwyn Clwyd, whose contribution came via the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

According to Dudley, the festival was the ideal showcase for locally produced food.

 

He said: “I want to encourage people to shop locally and to be creative with the ingredients. A lot of people cook the same things every week, whether its rice or pasta. But it doesn’t have to be like that."

 

Dudley’s love of good food goes back a long way.

 

“I was just one of these kids that was hungry all the time so I started cooking for myself,” he confessed.

 

But he didn’t just rustle just any old beans on toast type meal as a youngster.

 

The chef, who will be demonstrating at this year’s Llangollen food festival, was a dab hand at chicken in a sherry sauce at the age of 12.

 

“Sometimes I would cook for my family, but normally I was starving so I’d cook my own supper,” says Dudley who grew up at Ynysybwl, near Pontypridd.

 

He was fortunate, he says to have been taught cookery at school.

 

“That helped a lot as well,” he says. “I don’t know what minister it took to realise that it’s important that children learn to cook because it’s been an obvious thing over the years. It’s an essential life skill.”

 

He takes a swipe at the recent fashion for teaching food technology in schools instead of cookery.

 

“You can learn food technology later on, you need to learn the basics first – hands on. Kids need to know why things work.

 

“I love working in schools. Kids love it, they love to taste things.”

 

When it comes to personal choice of food Dudley likes nothing better than a good old traditional roast.

 

His Last Supper would be“a nice roast rib of beef, potatoes cooked in beef dripping, proper beef gravy and Yorkshire pudding…”

 

“I like to eat exotic food, I like to eat food that’s been well prepared with a lot of skill. But that’s a special occasion.

 

“At the end of the day everybody likes to eat good tasty home-cooked food. The influence is changing in restaurants now. They’re getting their acts together and serving food that people don’t cook at home any more.

 

“It’s unbelievable, really. Years ago everybody knew what a shepherds’ pie was because they had it once a week made with leftovers from the Sunday roast. But now they have no idea."

 

Robert Price, Cadwyn Clwyd's agri-food project officer, is thrilled that Dudley will be sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm at this year’s festival.

 

He said: “I’m a big fan of Dudley because not only is he an exceptionally gifted chef he is an eloquent champion of fine food.

 

“Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

 

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

 

"The location of the Pavilion is absolutely spectacular - I can't imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting."

 

For more information about Hamper Llangollen 2012 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com